I
doubt the propriety of your being under the charge of this unsexed
woman, who can no longer be termed a European. I have interest enough
with females of the highest rank in the settlement--this climate is that
of generosity and hospitality--there is not one of them, who, knowing
your character and history, will not desire to have you in her society,
and under her protection, until your lover shall be able to vindicate
his title to your hand in the face of the world.--I myself will be no
cause of suspicion to him, or of inconvenience to you, Menie. Let me but
have your consent to the arrangement I propose, and the same moment that
sees you under honourable and unsuspected protection, I will leave
Madras, not to return till your destiny is in one way or other
permanently fixed."
"No, Hartley," said Miss Gray. "It may, it must be, friendly in you thus
to advise me; but it would be most base in me to advance my own affairs
at the expense of your prospects. Besides, what would this be but taking
the chance of contingencies, with the view of sharing poor Middlemas's
fortunes, should they prove prosperous, and casting him off, should they
be otherwise? Tell me only, do you, of your own positive knowledge, aver
that you consider this woman as an unworthy and unfit protectress for so
young a person as I am?"
"Of my own knowledge I can say nothing; nay, I must own, that reports
differ even concerning Mrs.
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